Exploring the novel antioxidant peptides in low-salt dry-cured ham: Preparation, purification, identification and molecular docking

Dry-cured ham is important source of bioactive peptides. In this study, the antioxidant activities of peptides and components from low and fully salted dry-cured hams were compared by peptidomics. And novel antioxidant peptides were identified and characterized. The results showed that the peptides (<3 KDa) extracted from low-salt dry-cured ham had higher antioxidant activity. Therefore, the antioxidant peptides in low-salt dry-cured ham were further characterized and the mechanism of their antioxidant activity was investigated. From the five candidate peptides selected, we found DWPDARGIWHND (DD12) to be highly stable, non-sensitizing, and non-toxic with the highest free radical scavenging activity. Molecular docking predicted that DD12 interacted with Keap1 through hydrogen-bond formation and hydrophobic interactions, suggesting that DD12 had good cellular antioxidant activity. DD12 peptide can bind to DPPH• and ABTS•+, resulting in strong free radical scavenging activity. Our findings support the development and application of natural antioxidant peptides in dry-cured ham.

Microvascular burden and long-term risk of stroke and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between microvascular disease (MVD) and risk of stroke, dementia, and their major subtypes among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

We included 26,173 participants with T2DM from the UK Biobank who had no known stroke or dementia at baseline. MVD burden was reflected by the presence of retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic kidney disease. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidential intervals (CIs) of stroke and dementia associated with overall MVD burden and individual MVD.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 11.5 years, 1103 incident stroke (964 ischemic and 269 hemorrhagic stroke) and 813 incident dementia (312 Alzheimer's disease and 304 vascular dementia) cases were identified. The risk of stroke, dementia, and their major subtypes all increased with an increasing number of MVD (all P-trend <0.001). The adjusted HRs (95 % CIs) comparing three with no MVD were 5.03 (3.16, 8.02) for all stroke, 4.57 (2.75, 7.59) for ischemic stroke, and 6.60 (2.65, 16.43) for hemorrhagic stroke. The corresponding estimates were 4.28 (2.33, 7.86) for all-cause dementia, 6.96 (3.02, 16.01) for Alzheimer's disease, and 3.81 (1.40, 10.42) for vascular dementia. Among the three MVD, chronic kidney disease showed the strongest associations with both stroke subtypes, while peripheral neuropathy was most strongly associated with both dementia subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk of stroke, dementia, and their major subtypes increased with an increasing number of MVD. The associations of individual MVD with stroke and dementia varied substantially by types of MVD.

Biotemplated fabrication of N/O co-doped porous carbon confined spinel NiFe2O4 heterostructured mimetics for triple-mode sensing of antioxidants and ameliorating packaging properties

In this work, shrimp shell-derived magnetic NiFe2O4/N, O co-doped porous carbon nanozyme with superior oxidase (OXD)-like activity was prepared and used for colorimetric/photothermal/smartphone dual-signal triple-mode detection of antioxidants in fruits and beverages. The magnetic NiFe2O4/N, O co-doped porous carbon (MNPC) material was triumphantly fabricated using a combined in-situ surface chelation and pyrolysis method. The resultant MNPC composite exhibits a superior OXD-like activity, which can effectively oxidize 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) for yielding colorimetric/temperature dual-signal (CTDS) in absence of H2O2. This CTDS output sensor was successfully used for the determination of ascorbic acid and tannic acid. The proposed CTDS sensor with good specificity and high sensitivity can satisfy different on-site analysis requirements. Interestingly, the MNPC as a sustainable filler was further used for improving packaging properties of polyvinyl alcohol film. In short, this work offers a large-scale and cheap method to fabricate magnetic carbon-based nanozyme for monitoring antioxidants and ameliorating packaging properties.

A CRISPR/Cas12a-assisted bacteria quantification platform combined with magnetic covalent organic frameworks and hybridization chain reaction

The total bacterial count is an important indicator of food contamination in food safety supervision and management. Recently, the CRISPR/Cas12a system integrated with nucleic acid amplification has increasingly shown tremendous potential in microorganism detection. However, a general quantification strategy for total bacteria count based on the CRISPR/Cas12a system has not yet been developed. Herein, we established a sensitive bacterial quantification strategy based on the CRISPR/Cas12a system combined with magnetic covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs) and hybridization chain reaction (HCR). MCOFs acted as a carrier, adsorbing the ssDNA as HCR trigger sequence through π-π stacking. Then, the HCR circuit produces DNA duplexes containing the PAM sequences that activate the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a for further signal amplification. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method can quantify total bacteria in 50 min with a minimum detection concentration of 10 CFU/mL. The successful applications in food samples confirmed the feasibility and broad application prospects.

Protective effects of an alcoholic extract of Kaempferia galanga L. rhizome on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The rhizome of Kaempferia galanga L., a medicinal and edible Plant, was widely distributed in many Asian and African counties. It has been traditionally used to treat gastroenteritis, hypertension, rheumatism and asthma. However, there is a lack of modern pharmacology studies regarding its anti-gastric ulcer activity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to investigate the protective effects of an extract from K. galanga L. rhizome (Kge) and its active components kaempferol and luteolin on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The kge was prepared by ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and the contents of kaempferol and luteolin were determined by HPLC. The mice were randomly divided into seven groups: blank control (0.5 % CMC-Na; 0.1 mL/10 g), untreatment (0.5 % CMC-Na; 0.1 mL/10 g), Kge (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), kaempferol (100 mg/kg) and luteolin (100 mg/kg) groups. The mice were treated intragastrically once daily for 7 days. At 1 h post the last administration, the mice in all groups except the blank control group were intragastrically administrated with anhydrous alcohol (0.1 mL/10 g) once to induce gastric ulcer. Then, fasting was continued for 1 h, followed by sample collection for evaluation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay.

RESULTS

The contents of kaempferol and luteolin in Kge were determined as 3713 μg/g and 2510 μg/g, respectively. Alcohol induced severely damages with edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and bleeding, and the ulcer index was 17.63 %. After pre-treatment with Kge (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), kaempferol and luteolin, the pathological lesions were obviously alleviated and ulcer indices were reduced to 13.42 %, 11.65 %, 6.54 %, 3.58 % and 3.85 %, respectively. In untreated group, the contents of Ca2+, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, NO, cyclic adenosine monophosphate and histamine were significantly increased, while the contents of hexosamine, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and prostaglandin E2 were significantly decreased; the transcriptional levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, calcitonin gene related peptide, substance P, M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, histamine H2 receptor, cholecystokinin 2 receptor and H+/K+ ATPase were significantly increased when compared with the blank control group. After pre-treatment, all of these changes were alleviated, even returned to normal levels. Kge exhibited anti-gastric ulcer activity and the high dose of Kge (400 mg/kg) exhibited comparable activity to that of kaempferol and luteolin.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that K. galanga L., kaempferol, and luteolin have protective effects against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. This is achieved by regulating the mucosal barrier, oxidative stress, and gastric regulatory mediators, as well as inhibiting the TRPV1 signaling pathway and gastric acid secretion, ultimately reducing the gastric ulcer index.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of folic acid-rotenol conjugate as a potent targeted anticancer prodrug

Rotenone, a plant-based agricultural insecticide, has been shown to have anti-tumor activity through targeting mitochondrial complex I in cancer cells. However, off-target toxic side effect on nervous systems have greatly restricted the application of rotenone as anticancer drugs. Here, a folic acid-rotenol (FA-rotenol) conjugate was prepared by covalent coupling of the tumor-targeting ligand folic acid with rotenone derivative-rotenol to enhance its accumulation at tumor site. FA-rotenol conjugates present high in vitro cytotoxicties against several cell lines by inducing mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and increasing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) to activate the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis and enhance the G2/M cell cycle arrest. Because of the high affinity with over-expressed folate receptors, FA-rotenol conjugate demonstrated more effective in vivo therapeutic outcomes in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice than rotenone and rotenol. In addition, FA-rotenol conjugate can markedly inhibit the cell migration and invasion of HepG-2 cells. These studies confirm the feasibility of tumor-targeted ligand conjugated rotenone derivatives for targeted antitumor therapy; likewise, they lay the foundations for the development of other rotenol-conjugates with antitumor potential.

Enhancement of Tumor Perfusion and Antiangiogenic Therapy in Murine Models of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Using Ultrasound-Stimulated Microbubbles

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of ultrasound-stimulated microbubble cavitation (USMC) on enhancing antiangiogenic therapy in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We explored the effects of USMC with different mechanical indices (MIs) on tumor perfusion, 36 786-O tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly assigned into four groups: (i) control group, (ii) USMC0.25 group (MI = 0.25), (iii) USMC1.4 group (MI = 1.4) (iv) US1.4 group (MI = 1.4). Tumor perfusion was assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) before the USMC treatment and 30 min, 4h and 6h after the USMC treatment, respectively. Then we evaluated vascular normalization(VN) induced by low-MI (0.25) USMC treatment, 12 tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into two groups: (i) control group (ii) USMC0.25 group. USMC treatment was performed, and tumor microvascular imaging and blood perfusion were analyzed by MicroFlow imaging (MFI) and CEUS 30 min after each treatment. In combination therapy, a total of 144 tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 24): (i) control group, (ii) USMC1.4 group, (iii) USMC0.25 group, (iv) bevacizumab(BEV) group, (v) USMC1.4 +BEV group, (vi) USMC0.25 +BEV group. BEV was injected on the 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th d after the tumors were inoculated, while USMC treatment was performed 24 h before and after every BEV administration. We examined the effects of the combination therapy through a series of experiments.

RESULTS

Tumor blood perfusion enhanced by USMC with low MI (0.25)could last for more than 6h, inducing tumor VN and promoting drug delivery. Compared with other groups, USMC0.25+BEV combination therapy had the strongest inhibition on tumor growth, led to the longest survival time of the mice.

CONCLUSION

The optimized USMC is a promising therapeutic approach that can be combined with antiangiogenic therapy to combat tumor progression.

Inflammatory markers and androstenedione modify the effect of serum testosterone on obesity among men: Findings from a Chinese population

BACKGROUND

Few studies are available on the relationship of androstenedione with inflammation and obesity and the effect of androstenedione and inflammation on the association between testosterone and obesity. This study intended to examine the mediation effect of inflammatory markers on the association of testosterone with obesity and the moderation effect of androstenedione on the association of testosterone with inflammation and obesity in Chinese rural men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional research enrolled 2536 male rural inhabitants from the Henan Rural Cohort study. The serum concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Linear and logistic regression were used to examine the relationships between testosterone, inflammatory markers, and obesity. Mediation and moderation analyses were carried out to evaluate the potential effects of inflammatory markers on the relationship between testosterone and obesity, as well as androstenedione on the relationships of testosterone with inflammation and obesity.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounding factors, the results showed that testosterone and androstenedione were negatively related to obesity, and inflammatory markers were positively associated with obesity. Besides, testosterone and androstenedione were negatively associated with inflammatory markers. Mediation analysis showed that white blood cell, neutrophil, monocyte, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein had mediating effects on the association between testosterone and obesity. The most vital mediator was high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and its proportion of the effect was 11.02% (defined by waist circumference), 11.15% (defined by waist-to-hip ratio), 12.92% (defined by waist-to-height ratio), and full mediating effect (defined by body mass index). Moreover, androstenedione played negative moderation effects on the associations of testosterone with inflammation and obesity.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory markers and androstenedione were first found to have modifying effects on the association of testosterone with obesity. Higher levels of testosterone and androstenedione could reduce the inflammation level and risk of obesity, indicating their potential roles in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

The effectiveness of evidence-based nursing intervention for nasal irrigation after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate its effect of an evidence-based nursing program for nasal irrigation after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

METHODS

A total of 66 patients with CRS were randomly divided into two groups, for which the experimental group received evidence-based nasal irrigation nursing, and the control group received conventional nursing. Differences in Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20), visual analogue scale (VAS), Lund-Mackay CT, Endoscopic Lund Kennedy Score (LKES) and overall efficacy were assessed between the two groups.

RESULTS

2, 4 and 12 weeks after the intervention, the scores of SNOT-20, VAS, Lund-Mackay CT and LKES in the two groups were significantly lower than those before the surgery (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the scores were significantly lower in the experimental group (P < 0.05). 12 weeks after the intervention, the overall effective rate of treatment in the experimental group was 90.62%, while the control group was 16.43%, but the difference was not statistically significant in treatment effect (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of nasal irrigation evidence-based nursing program for patients with CRS after endoscopic sinus surgery can promote postoperative nasal mucosal recovery, improve treatment efficiency, and help improve patient comfort, quality of life and other subjective feelings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered retrospectively with reference number ChiCTR2300075484 on 06/09/2023, available at: https://www.chictr.org.cn .

Population-based epidemiological projections of rheumatoid arthritis in Germany until 2040

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to conduct a population-based projection to estimate the number of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases in Germany until 2040.

METHOD

Data obtained from a report published in 2017 (doi:10.20364/VA-17.08) were used for future prediction analysis. The data were originally collected by the German Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance. We used the illness-death model to estimate future numbers of RA cases, considering nine possible scenarios based on different incidence and mortality rates.

RESULTS

In the baseline scenario, the number of women with RA is projected to increase by 417 000 cases and men by 179 000 cases by 2040, compared with 2015. Peak numbers of cases are concentrated in the 70-80-year-old age group, particularly among women. In the most favourable scenario (scenario 2), assuming a decreasing incidence, the total number of RA cases is projected to rise by 284 000 by 2040, reflecting a 38% relative increase from 2015 to 2040. The least favourable scenario (scenario 9), assuming an increasing incidence, projects a significant burden on the healthcare system. The total number of RA cases is expected to rise by 1.16 million by 2040, marking a substantial 158% relative increase from 2015 to 2040.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research emphasizes a discernible trend: with an ageing society, improving treatment effectiveness, and declining all-cause mortality, we anticipate a rise in the absolute numbers of RA cases in Germany in the coming years. Our models robustly support this viewpoint, underscoring impending challenges for healthcare systems. Addressing these challenges demands multifaceted interventions.

Interpreting the molecular mechanisms of RBBP4/7 and their roles in human diseases (Review)

Histone chaperones serve a pivotal role in maintaining human physiological processes. They interact with histones in a stable manner, ensuring the accurate and efficient execution of DNA replication, repair and transcription. Retinoblastoma binding protein (RBBP)4 and RBBP7 represent a crucial pair of histone chaperones, which not only govern the molecular behavior of histones H3 and H4, but also participate in the functions of several protein complexes, such as polycomb repressive complex 2 and nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase, thereby regulating the cell cycle, histone modifications, DNA damage and cell fate. A strong association has been indicated between RBBP4/7 and some major human diseases, such as cancer, age‑related memory loss and infectious diseases. The present review assesses the molecular mechanisms of RBBP4/7 in regulating cellular biological processes, and focuses on the variations in RBBP4/7 expression and their potential mechanisms in various human diseases, thus providing new insights for their diagnosis and treatment.

Value of long non-coding RNA HAS2-AS1 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of glioma

BACKGROUND

Glioma presents high incidence and poor prognosis, and therefore more effective treatments are needed. Studies have confirmed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) basically regulate various human diseases including glioma. It has been theorized that HAS2-AS1 serves as an lncRNA to exert an oncogenic role in varying cancers. This study aimed to assess the value of lncRNA HAS2-AS1 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for glioma.

METHODS

The miRNA expression data and clinical data of glioma were downloaded from the TCGA database for differential analysis and survival analysis. In addition, pathological specimens and specimens of adjacent normal tissue from 80 patients with glioma were used to observe the expression of HAS2-AS1. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic ability and prognostic value of HAS2-AS1 in glioma. Meanwhile, a Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted to evaluate the survival of glioma patients with different HAS2-AS1 expression levels.

RESULTS

HAS2-AS1 was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues compared with normal tissue. The survival curves showed that overexpression of HAS2-AS1 was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Several clinicopathological factors of glioma patients, including tumor size and WHO grade, were significantly correlated with HAS2-AS1 expression in tissues. The ROC curve showed an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.863, indicating that HAS2-AS1 had good diagnostic value. The ROC curve for the predicted OS showed an AUC of 0.906, while the ROC curve for predicted PFS showed an AUC of 0.88. Both suggested that overexpression of HAS2-AS1 was associated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Normal tissues could be clearly distinguished from glioma tissues based on HAS2-AS1 expression. Moreover, overexpression of HAS2-AS1 indicated poor prognosis in glioma patients. Therefore, HAS2-AS1 could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for glioma.

Cardiac MRI feature-tracking-derived torsion mechanics in systolic and diastolic dysfunction in systemic light-chain cardiac amyloidosis

AIM

To describe the myocardial torsion mechanics in cardiac amyloidosis (CA), and evaluate the correlations between left ventricle (LV) torsion mechanics and conventional parameters using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging feature tracking (CMR-FT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty-nine patients with light-chain CA (AL-CA) were divided into three groups: group 1 with preserved systolic function (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] ≥50%, n=55), group 2 with mildly reduced systolic function (40% ≤ LVEF <50%, n=51), and group 3 with reduced systolic function (LVEF <40%, n=33), and compared with age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n=26). All patients underwent cine imaging and late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE). Cine images were analysed offline using CMR-FT to estimate torsion parameters.

RESULTS

Global torsion, base-mid torsion, and peak diastolic torsion rate (diasTR) were significantly impaired in patients with preserved systolic function (p<0.05 for all), whereas mid-apex torsion and peak systolic torsion rate (sysTR) were preserved (p>0.05 for both) compared with healthy controls. In patients with mildly reduced systolic function, global torsion and base-mid torsion were lower compared to those with preserved systolic function (p<0.05 for both), while mid-apex torsion, sysTR, and diasTR were preserved (p>0.05 for all). In patients with reduced systolic function, only sysTR was significantly worse compared with mildly reduced systolic function (p<0.05). At multivariable analysis, right ventricle (RV) end-systolic volume RVESV index and NYHA class were independently related to global torsion, whereas LVEF was independently related to sysTR. RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was independently related to diasTR. LV global torsion performed well (AUC 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61, 0.77) in discriminating transmural from non-transmural LGE in AL-CA patients.

CONCLUSION

LV torsion mechanics derived by CMR-FT could help to monitor LV systolic and diastolic function in AL-CA patients and function as a new imaging marker for LV dysfunction and LGE transmurality.

Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 infections induce ER stress-mediated autophagy to facilitate virus replication

Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (BPIV3) serves as a crucial pathogen in cattle, adept at triggering severe respiratory symptoms. This investigation explores the intricate interplay of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress), unfolded protein response (UPR), and autophagy upon BPIV3 infection. In this study, we initially confirm a substantial increase in glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78) expression, accompanied by noticeable morphological changes and significant expansion of the ER lumen observed through transmission electron microscopy upon BPIV3 infection. Our findings indicate that ER Stress is induced during BPIV3 infection in vitro. Subsequently, we illustrate that BPIV3 triggers ER Stress to facilitate viral replication through heightened autophagy through treatment with the ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) and utilizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology to knock down GRP78. Additionally, we observe that the activation of ER stress initiates the UPR via PERK and ATF6 pathways, with the IRE1 pathway not contributing to the regulation of ER stress-mediated autophagy. Moreover, intervention with the PERK inhibitor GSK2606414, ATF6 inhibitor Ceapin-A7, and siRNA technology successfully reverses BPIV3-induced autophagy. In summary, these findings propose that BPIV3 induces ER stress to enhance viral replication through increased autophagy, with the PERK and ATF6 pathways playing a significant role in ER stress-mediated autophagy.

Universal and Naked-Eye Diagnostic Platform for Emetic Bacillus cereus Based on RPA-Assisted CRISPR/Cas12a

Emetic Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), which can cause emetic food poisoning and in some cases even fulminant liver failure and death, has aroused widespread concern. Herein, a universal and naked-eye diagnostic platform for emetic B. cereus based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-assisted CRISPR/Cas12a was developed by targeting the cereulide synthetase biosynthetic gene (cesB). The diagnostic platform enabled one-pot detection by adding components at the bottom and cap of the tube separately. The visual limit of detection of RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a for gDNA and cells of emetic B. cereus was 10-2 ng μL-1 and 102 CFU mL-1, respectively. Meanwhile, it maintained the same sensitivity in the rice, milk, and cooked meat samples even if the gDNA was extracted by simple boiling. The whole detection process can be finished within 40 min, and the single cell of emetic B. cereus was able to be recognized through enrichment for 2-5 h. The good specificity, high sensitivity, rapidity, and simplicity of the RPA-assisted CRISPR/Cas12a diagnostic platform made it serve as a potential tool for the on-site detection of emetic B. cereus in food matrices. In addition, the RPA-assisted CRISPR/Cas12a assay is the first application in emetic B. cereus detection.

Stereocontrol in an intermolecular Schmidt reaction of equilibrating hydroxyalkyl allylic azides

A selective intermolecular Schmidt reaction of equilibrating hydroxyalkyl allylic azides is reported to afford N-hydroxyalk-1-en-3-yl lactams in modest to high yields. For prochiral and chiral ketones, modest to high 1,5-diastereoselectivity was achieved, and the mechanistic analysis is supported by DFT calculation.

Wavelength extension beyond 3 µm in a Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based fiber laser

In this Letter, we report continuous-wave (CW) lasers with wavelengths beyond 3 µm in homemade Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based glass fibers. The laser cavity was established through the integration of a dichroic mirror (DM, HR@3-3.1 µm) positioned at the pump end and a partial reflectivity (PR) fiber Bragg grating (FBG) situated at the laser emission end. The FBGs in AlF3-based glass fibers were fabricated by a fs laser direct-writing method, and the resonant wavelengths were 3.009, 3.036, and 3.064 µm, respectively. Under the pump of 1.15 µm laser, a maximum unsaturated output power of 1.014 W was obtained at 3.009 µm with an overall laser efficiency of 11.8% and FWHM bandwidth of 0.88 nm. Furthermore, in order to enhance the optical-thermal stability, the FBG was heat-treated at 200°C for 30 min, and a higher output power of 1081 mW (348 mW without heat treatment) at 3.036 µm was achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 3-3.1 µm lasers by using FBGs in Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped AlF3-based fibers.

Necklace-like Te-Au reticula platform with three dimensional hotspots Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) sensor for food hazards analysis

In this work, we combined three-dimensional (3D) necklace-like Te-Au reticula as novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrates with oxidation-reduction displacement reactions to construct a molecular machine for SERS detection. The structurally tunable 3D necklace-like spatial structures generated more active 'hot spots' and thus enhanced the sensitivity of SERS signals. Besides, layers of ultrathin nanowires showed high sequence dependence that ensure the repeatability and abundant hotspots at interparticle gaps and guarantee the high SERS performance of the substrate. A better-localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of the sensor was verified by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis in both Raman intensities and electromagnetic field distributions compared to the citrate-stabilized AuNPs and CTAB-protected AuNRs. The proposed strategy can also serve as a universally amplified and sensitive detection platform for monitoring different molecules, thus achieving an amplification detection of 3,3'-diethylthiatricarbocyanine iodide (DTTCI) are 1 nM and R6G with a low limit of detection of 1 pM. Especially, the intensity of the main vibration of R6G from 30 spots of SERS data with excellent reproducibility (relative standard deviation of 6.25 %). High selectivity and accuracy of the SERS sensor were proved by practical analysis melamine (MM) in milk with a linear calibration curve (R2 = 0.9962) and a limit of detection of 0.75 mg/kg. Our research provides a new perspective to construct 3D SERS sensor from integrated structural design.

Proximal tubular MBD2 promotes autophagy to drive the progression of AKI caused by vancomycin via regulation of miR-597-5p/S1PR1 axis

Our recent investigation has indicated that the global deletion of MBD2 can mitigate the progression of AKI induced by VAN. Nevertheless, the role and regulatory mechanisms of proximal tubular MBD2 in this pathophysiological process have yet to be elucidated. Our preceding investigation revealed that autophagy played a crucial role in advancing AKI induced by VAN. Consequently, we postulated that MBD2 present in the proximal tubule could upregulate the autophagic process to expedite the onset of AKI. In the present study, we found for the first time that MBD2 mediated the autophagy production induced by VAN. Through the utilization of miRNA chip analysis, we have mechanistically demonstrated that MBD2 initiates the activation of miR-597-5p through promoter demethylation. This process leads to the suppression of S1PR1, which results in the induction of autophagy and apoptosis in renal tubular cells. Besides, PT-MBD2-KO reduced autophagy to attenuate VAN-induced AKI via regulation of the miR-597-5p/S1PR1 axis, which was reversed by rapamycin. Finally, the overexpression of MBD2 aggravated the diminished VAN-induced AKI in autophagy-deficient mice (PT-Atg7-KO). These data demonstrate that proximal tubular MBD2 facilitated the process of autophagy via the miR-597-5p/S1PR1 axis and subsequently instigated VAN-induced AKI through the induction of apoptosis. The potentiality of MBD2 being a target for AKI was established.

Weak Bimetal Coupling-Assisted MN4 Catalyst for Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction

The design of multimetal catalysts holds immense significance for efficient CO2 capture and its conversion into economically valuable chemicals. Herein, heterobimetallic catalysts (MiMo)L were exploited for the CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) using relativistic density functional theory (DFT). The octadentate Pacman-like polypyrrolic ligand (H4L) accommodates two metal ions (Mo, W, Nd, and U) inside (Mi) and outside (Mo) its month, rendering a weak bimetal coupling-assisted MN4 catalytically active site. Adsorption reactions have access to energetically stable coordination modes of -OCO, -OOC, and -(OCO)2, where the donor atom(s) are marked in bold. Among all of the species, (UiMoo)L releases the most energy. Along CO2RR, it favors to produce CO. The high-efficiency CO2 reduction is attributed to the size matching of U with the ligand mouth and the effective manipulation of the electron density of both ligand and bimetals. The mechanism in which heterobimetals synergetically capture and reduce CO2 has been postulated. This establishes a reference in elaborating on the complicated heterogeneous catalysis.

Extreme terahertz magnon multiplication induced by resonant magnetic pulse pairs

Nonlinear interactions of spin-waves and their quanta, magnons, have emerged as prominent candidates for interference-based technology, ranging from quantum transduction to antiferromagnetic spintronics. Yet magnon multiplication in the terahertz (THz) spectral region represents a major challenge. Intense, resonant magnetic fields from THz pulse-pairs with controllable phases and amplitudes enable high order THz magnon multiplication, distinct from non-resonant nonlinearities such as the high harmonic generation by below-band gap electric fields. Here, we demonstrate exceptionally high-order THz nonlinear magnonics. It manifests as 7th-order spin-wave-mixing and 6th harmonic magnon generation in an antiferromagnetic orthoferrite. We use THz two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy to achieve high-sensitivity detection of nonlinear magnon interactions up to six-magnon quanta in strongly-driven many-magnon correlated states. The high-order magnon multiplication, supported by classical and quantum spin simulations, elucidates the significance of four-fold magnetic anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya symmetry breaking. Moreover, our results shed light on the potential quantum fluctuation properties inherent in nonlinear magnons.

Airborne antibiotic and metal resistance genes - A neglected potential risk at e-waste recycling facilities

Heavy metal-rich environments can promote the selection of metal-resistance genes (MRGs) in bacteria, often leading to the simultaneous selection of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) through a process known as co-selection. To comprehensively evaluate the biological pollutants at electronic-waste (e-waste) recycling facilities, air, soil, and river samples were collected at four distinct Swiss e-waste recycling facilities and analyzed for ARGs, MRGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), endotoxins, and bacterial species, with correlations drawn to heavy metal occurrence. To our knowledge, the present work marks the first attempt to quantify these bio-pollutants in the air of e-waste recycling facilities, that might pose a significant health risk to workers. Although ARG and MRG's profiles varied among the different sample types, intl1 consistently exhibited high relative abundance rates, identifying it as the predominant MGE across all sample types and facilities. These findings underscore its pivol role in driving diverse bacterial adaptations to extreme heavy metal exposure by selection and dissemination of ARGs and MRGs. All air samples exhibited consistent profiles of ARGs and MRGs, with blaTEM emerging as the predominant ARG, alongside pbrT and nccA as the most prevalent MRGs. However, one facility, engaged in batteries recycling and characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of heavy metals, showcased a more diverse resistance gene profile, suggesting that bacteria in this environment required more complex resistance mechanisms to cope with extreme metal exposure. Furthermore, this study unveiled a strong association between gram-negative bacteria and ARGs and less with MRGs. Overall, this research emphasizes the critical importance of studying biological pollutants in the air of e-waste recycling facilities to inform robust safety measures and mitigate the risk of resistance gene dissemination among workers. These findings establish a solid foundation for further investigations into the complex interplay among heavy metal exposure, bacterial adaptation, and resistance patterns in such distinctive ecosystems.

Differential gene expression and miRNA regulatory network in coronary slow flow

Coronary slow flow (CSF) is characterized by slow progression of coronary angiography without epicardial stenosis. The aim of this study was to explore the potential biomarkers and regulatory mechanism for CSF. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 3 cases of CSF and 3 healthy controls were collected for high-throughput sequencing of mRNA and miRNA, respectively. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) was identified. A total of 117 DE-mRNAs and 32 DE-miRNAs were obtained and they were mainly enriched in immune and inflammatory responses. Twenty-six DE-mRNAs were the predicted target genes for miRNAs by RAID, and then the regulatory network of 15 miRNAs were constructed. In addition, through the PPI network, we identified the three genes (FPR1, FPR2 and CXCR4) with larger degrees as hub genes. Among them, FPR1 was regulated by hsa-miR-342-3p, hsa-let-7c-5p and hsa-miR-197-3p and participated in the immune response. Finally, we validated the differential expression of hub genes and key miRNAs between 20 CSF and 20 control. Moreover, we found that miR-342-3p has a targeted regulatory relationship with FPR1, and their expression is negatively correlated. Then we established a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) HUVEC model and detected FPR1, cell proliferation and apoptosis. Transfection with miR-342-3p mimics can significantly promote the proliferation of HUVEC under H/R conditions. FPR1 were associated with CSF as a biomarker and may be regulated by miR-342-3p potential biomarkers.

[Comparison of efficacy between short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation supervised by special personnel and fixed vestibular rehabilitation on recurrent peripheral vertigo]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation supervised by special personnel (ST-PVR) versus fixed vestibular rehabilitation (FVR) on decompensated recurrent peripheral vertigo. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out. Patients diagnosed with decompensated recurrent vertigo in the clinic of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University from January to December 2018 were randomly allocated into FVR and ST-PVR groups via computer-generated randomization. The FVR group received fixed scheme involving gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, balance and gait training, while the ST-PVR group received individualized training programs based on symptoms and vestibular function examination results, with adjustments made according to the progress of recovery. Patient symptoms and vestibular function improvement were assessed using the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), activities-specific balance confidence (ABC), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), caloric test, and sensory organization test (SOT) at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment. Results: A total of 44 patients were included, including 16 males and 28 females, with an average age of (50.6±13.5) years. There were 21 cases in the FVR group and 23 cases in the ST-PVR group. In the ST-PVR group, DHI score (49.5±26.8 vs 61.3±21.4, P=0.046) and SAS score (39.1±7.8 vs 44.3±6.6, P=0.021) significantly improved after 2 weeks of treatment, while significant improvement occurred only after 8 weeks of treatment in the FVR group (DHI score: 28.1±15.9 vs 53.1±18.5, P=0.001; SAS score: 35.3±6.7 vs 43.1±8.4, P=0.010). There was no significant change of ABC score in the FVR group after 8 weeks of treatment (86.5±12.9 vs 83.4±18.1, P=0.373), while a significant improvement was observed in the ST-PVR group after 4 weeks of treatment (83.6±15.2 vs 78.4±15.1, P=0.015). The caloric test results showed that after 8 weeks of treatment, the proportion of patients with unilateral weakness<25% increased in both groups [FVR group: 57.1% (12/21) vs 9.5% (2/21), P=0.001; ST-PVR group: 52.2% (12/23) vs 17.4% (4/23), P=0.014]. In the ST-PVR group, the proportion of patients with dominant preference≤25% significantly increased [91.3% (21/23) vs 60.9% (14/23), P=0.016], while there was no significant change in the FVR group [61.9 (13/21) vs 57.1% (12/21), P=0.500]. The proportion of patients with SOT score≥70 in the ST-PVR group increased significantly after 2 weeks of treatment [69.6% (16/23) vs 30.4% (7/23), P=0.009], while the FVR group showed a significant increase only after 8 weeks of treatment [81.0% (17/21) vs 42.9% (9/21), P=0.012]. Conclusion: Both FVR and ST-PVR effectively promote vestibular compensation by improving objective vestibular functions and relieving subjective symptoms and anxiety of the patients with decompensation recurrent vertigo, while ST-PVR might shorten the recovery time and increase balance confidence.

Discovery of a Novel CSF-1R Inhibitor with Highly Improved Pharmacokinetic Profiles and Superior Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy

Blocking CSF-1/CSF-1R pathway has emerged as a promising strategy to remodel tumor immune microenvironment (TME) by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In this work, a novel CSF-1R inhibitor C19 with a highly improved pharmacokinetic profile and in vivo anticolorectal cancer (CRC) efficiency was successfully discovered. C19 could effectively reprogram M2-like TAMs to M1 phenotype and reshape the TME by inducing the recruitment of CD8+ T cells into tumors and reducing the infiltration of immunosuppressive Tregs/MDSCs. Deeper mechanistic studies revealed that C19 facilitated the infiltration of CD8+ T cells by enhancing the secretion of chemokine CXCL9, thus significantly potentiating the anti-CRC efficiency of PD-1 blockade. More importantly, C19 combined with PD-1 mAb could induce durable antitumor immune memory, effectively overcoming the recurrence of CRC. Taken together, our findings suggest that C19 is a promising therapeutic option for sensitizing CRC to anti-PD-1 therapy.

[Efficacy evaluation of short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation in the treatment of acute unilateral vestibulopathy]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and effective node of short-term personalized vestibular rehabilitation (ST-PVR) in treating acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUVP). Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out. The AUVP patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2022 to March 2023 were selected and randomized to the vestibular rehabilitation (VR) group and control group via computer-generated randomization. Standard care was the medical treatment with betahistine and prednisolone. Meanwhile, the VR group received ST-PVR. All the patients completed the baseline assessment and underwent follow-up assessments at 1 month and 3 months after the treatment. The assessments were consisted of spontaneous nystagmus (NYS), Romberg test (ROM), head thrust test (HTT), visual analogue scale (VAS) for vertigo, dizziness handicap inventory scale (DHI), activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC), caloric test using video-electronystagmograph (VNG), and video-head impulse test (vHIT). The measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution were represented by M (Q1, Q3). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to analyze the influence of the ST-PVR on the values of these clinical indicators and the VR grading score. The values of clinical indicators and the VR grading score were compared between the two groups at each follow-up point. Results: Seventy-one AUVP patients were included, with 35 cases in the VR group [14 males and 21 females, aged 51 (33, 55) years] and 36 cases in control group [17 males and 19 females, aged 46 (34, 59) years]. There were statistically significant differences in the impact of ST-PVR on the values of clinical indicators between the two groups (ABC: β=10.89, P<0.001; VAS: β=-1.64, P<0.001; DHI: β=-8.70, P<0.001; NYS: β=26.73, P<0.001; vHIT: β=1.41, P=0.047; the VR grading score: β=1.03, P=0.045). The assessments of the VR group in the positive rate of NYS [14.3% (5/35) vs 50.0% (18/36), P<0.001], ROM [48.6% (17/35) vs 55.6% (20/36), P<0.001], directional preponderance (DP) [34.3% (12/35) vs 75.0% (27/36), P<0.001] and DHI [26 (22, 32) vs 36 (30, 60), P=0.001] were significantly lower than that of the control group at 1 month after the treatment. The results showed a statistically significant difference in ABC [88 (80, 90) vs 76 (61, 88), P<0.001], VAS [2 (1, 3) vs 3 (2, 5), P<0.001] at 3-months after the treatment. The VR grading score of the VR group was improved significantly than those of the control group at 1 month after treatment [21 (17, 21) vs 16 (13, 20), P=0.001]. Conclusion: ST-PVR could improve the results of clinical indicators and VR grading score of the AUVP patients effectively after 1 month of the systematical treatment, and alleviate the symptoms and signs of dizziness in the acute phase as early as possible.

[Preliminary observation of wearable balance diagnosis and treatment system in evaluating dynamic and static balance function in patients with vestibular vertigo]

A newly developed wearable balance diagnosis and treatment system was studied to evaluate the indexes of the abnormal balance function in patients with vestibular vertigo. A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 30 patients diagnosed with non-acute vestibular vertigo in the outpatient department of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from July 2022 to May 2023 were selected as the vertigo group, including 13 males and 17 females, and aged (45.7±13.9) years. Meanwhile, 20 healthy controls (8 males and 12 females) were included as the control group, with a mean age of (43.6±8.0) years. The static balance and limits of stability (LOS) function of all subjects were assessed with wearable balance diagnosis and treatment system developed under the leadership of Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. In the static balance test, the ratio of eyes open with cushions to eyes open without cushions in the vertigo group was less than that of the control group[1.20% (0.92%, 1.53%) vs 1.49% (1.22%, 1.81%), P=0.008], indicating that patients with non-acute vestibular vertigo may compensate static balance ability earlier. In vertigo group, the directional control in 8 directions, the maximum excursion in anterior, posterior, right anterior and right posterior directions, the endpoint excursion in the posterior, right posterior, and left posterior directions were all smaller than those of the control group (all P<0.05). The reaction time in the left posterior direction of vertigo group was longer than that of the control group (all P<0.05). Those results indicated that the directional control, maximum excursion and endpoint excursion of LOS could be considered as important reference indexes for dynamic balance function.

[The causes and coping strategies for refractory vertigo]

Refractory vertigo is a disease entity characterized by uncontrollable recurrent vertigo and/or persistent dizziness instability, which can be caused by various diseases. The main pathogenesis may be related to recurrent episodes of the primary disease and compensatory dysfunction of the vestibular system. Understanding the common causes and pathological mechanisms of refractory vertigo, and comprehensively analyzing the relevant factors that cause symptoms, can facilitate accurate diagnosis and effective differentiation, and then provide comprehensive treatment targeting various factors such as etiology, symptoms, functional status, and psychological problems, ultimately achieving the goal of controlling the occurrence and development of refractory vertigo. Based on the characteristics of symptoms, this article focuses on analyzing possible mechanisms, relative factors, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of common diseases that lead to refractory vertigo, effective coping strategies, key issues that need attention, and future prospects, in order to improve clinical diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation in rheumatic diseases: prevalence, clinical features and influencing factors

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features of Chinese patients with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-induced pigmentation and analyze the potential risk factors associated with HCQ-induced pigmentation.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted over a duration of 7 months, during which patients who had received HCQ treatment for >6 months were included. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire that encompassed demographic and geographic characteristics, information on HCQ and concomitant medication usage, sun exposure characteristics, and hyperpigmentation-related characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to calculate the statistical association between HCQ-induced pigmentation and multiple variables.

RESULTS

Out of 316 patients, 83 (26.3%) patients presented hyperpigmentation during HCQ treatment. Hyperpigmentation presented after a median duration of HCQ treatment of 12 months (interquartile range, 6.0 months-30.0 months) with a median cumulative dose of 108 g of HCQ (interquartile range, 36-288 g). The most frequently affected sites of pigmentation were the face (60.2%), lower limbs (36.1%), and hands (20.5%). There was a linear decrease in the incidence of pigmentation with increasing daily sun exposure time (p= 0.030). In the multivariate analysis, variables (cumulative HCQ dose and daily sun exposure time) were included in the final models. The results revealed an independent correlation between HCQ-induced pigmentation and daily sun exposure exceeding 1 h (OR: 0.431; 95%CI: 0.208-0.892; p= 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of HCQ-induced pigmentation is not uncommon, with an incidence rate of 26.3%. Daily sun exposure time exhibited a protective effect against HCQ-induced pigmentation.

Estimating the Amount of the Wild Artemisia annua in China Based on the MaxEnt Model and Spatio-Temporal Kriging Interpolation

In order to determine the distribution area and amount of Artemisia annua Linn. (A. annua) in China, this study estimated the current amount of A. annua specimens based on the field survey sample data obtained from the Fourth National Census of Chinese Medicinal Resources. The amount was calculated using the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt model) and spatio-temporal kriging interpolation. The influencing factors affecting spatial variations in the amount were studied using geographic probes. The results indicated that the amount of A. annua in China was about 700 billion in 2019. A. annua was mainly distributed in the circular coastal belt of Shandong Peninsula, central Hebei, Tianjin, western Liaoning, and along the Yangtze River and in the middle and lower reaches of Jiangsu, Anhui, and the northern Chongqing provinces. The main factors affecting the amount are the precipitation in the wettest and the warmest seasons, the average annual precipitation, and the average temperature in the coldest and the driest seasons. The results show that the amount of A. annua is strongly influenced by precipitation and temperature.

[Clinical efficacy of induction chemoimmunotherapy for locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma: a prospective phase Ⅱ study]

Objective: To evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) of induction chemoimmunotherapy with camrelizumab plus TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and capecitabine) for locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA HSCC) and potential predictive factors for ORR. Methods: A single-center, prospective, phase 2 and single-arm trial was conducted for evaluating antitumor activity of camrelizumab+TPF(docetaxel+cisplatin+capecitabine) for LA HSCC between May 21, 2021 and April 15, 2023, patients admitted to the Eye & ENT Hospital affiliated with Fudan University. The primary endpoint was ORR, and enrolled patients with LA HSCC at T3-4N0-3M0 received induction chemoimmunotherapy for three cycles: camrelizumab 200 mg day 1, docetaxel 75 mg/m2 day 1, cisplatin 25 mg/m2 days 1-3, and capecitabine 800 mg/m2 days 1-14. Patients were assigned to radioimmunotherapy when they had complete response or partial response (PR)>70% (Group A), or assigned to surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy when they had PR≤70% (Group B), and the responses were defined by using tumor volume evaluation system. Tumor diameter was also used to assess the treatment responses by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. Use SPSS 23.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 51 patients were enrolled who underwent the induced chemoimmunotherapy for three cycles, and all were males, aged 35-69 years old. After three cycles of induction immunochemotherapy, 42 (82.4%) patients existed in Group A (complete response or PR>70%) and 9 patients (17.6%) in Group B (PR≤70%), the ORR was 82.4%. The primary endpoint achieved expected main research objectives. Compared to the patients of Group A, the patients of Group B showed the higher T stage and the larger volume of primary tumor before induced immunochemotherapy, and also had the less regression of tumor volume after induced immunochemotherapy (all P<0.05). The optimal cutoff value of pre-treatment tumor volume for predicting ORR was 39 cm3. The T stage (OR=12.71, 95%CI: 1.4-112.5, P=0.022) and the volume (OR=7.1, 95%CI: 1.4-36.8, P=0.018) of primary tumor were the two main factors affecting ORR rate of induction chemoimmunotherapy. Conclusion: The induction chemoimmunotherapy with camrelizumab plus TPF shows an encouraging antitumor efficacy in LA HSCC.

Exploring the effect of Anshen Dingzhi prescription on hippocampal mitochondrial signals in single prolonged stress mouse model

HEADINGS ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anshen Dingzhi prescription (ADP), which was first published in the masterpiece of traditional Chinese Medicine in the Qing Dynasty, "Yi Xue Xin Wu" (1732 CE), is documented to interrupt panic-related disorders. However, the mechanism of its action is still not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the effects of ADP on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like behaviors and explore the mechanism from perspective of sirtuin1 (SIRT1)-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1α)-dependent mitochondrial function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The changes of SIRT1-PGC-1α signal and mitochondrial function were evaluated in the hippocampus of mice receiving single prolonged stress (SPS). Later, the roles of this signaling pathway played in fear memory generalization and anxiety-like behavior in SPS mice was investigated using two agonists of this signaling pathway. On this basis, the effects of ADP (36.8 mg/kg) with definite therapeutic effects, on mitochondrial function were investigated and further confirmed by a SIRT1 inhibitor. Finally, the possible components of ADP targeting PGC-1α were monitored through bioinformatics.

RESULTS

Compared with control mice, SIRT1-PGC-1α signal in the hippocampus was impaired in SPS mice, accompanied with dysfunction of mitochondria and abnormal expression of synaptic proteins. The agonists of SIRT1-PGC-1α signal, ZLN005, as well as resveratrol improved the behavioral changes of mice caused by SPS, reversed the decline of proteins in SIRT1-PGC-1α signal, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the abnormal expression of synaptic proteins. The fingerprint was established for the quality control of ADP. At a dose of 36.8 mg/kg, ADP could prevent fear memory generalization and anxiety-like behavior in SPS mice. Mechanically, ADP promoted SIRT1-PGC-1α signal and repaired mitochondrial function. Importantly, SIRT1 inhibitor, selisistat eliminated the ameliorative effects of ADP on behavioral and mitochondrial function. Through molecular docking simulation, the brain-entering components of ADP, including malkangunin, Rg5, fumarine, frutinone A, celabenzine, and inermin had high binding energy with PGC-1α.

CONCLUSION

Dysfunction of SIRT1-PGC-1α-dependent mitochondrial function is attributed to SPS-triggered fear generalization and anxiety-like behavior, and ADP could improve PTSD-like behaviors likely through activating this signaling pathway.

Effect of continuity nursing based on the theory of Knowledge-Attitude-Practice on quality of life, self-efficacy, and treatment compliance in elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of continuity nursing based on the theory of Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) on the quality of life, self-efficacy, and treatment compliance in elderly patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

In this single-center, randomized controlled study, a total of 232 elderly BPH patients who received treatment at our hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 were selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into the research group (n = 116) and the control group (n = 116). The control group received conventional interventions, while the research group received continuity nursing based on the theory of KAP on the basis of control group. Anxiety, depression, self-care agency, quality of life, self-efficacy, treatment compliance, and nursing satisfaction were compared between these 2 groups.

RESULTS

Before nursing intervention, both groups showed a decrease in SAS and SDS scores after the intervention. Furthermore, self-care ability, self-care responsibility, self-concept, health knowledge level, role function, emotional function, somatic function, cognitive function, social function, and General Self-Efficacy Scale scores increased. Additionally, the research group demonstrated lower/higher levels than the control group (P < .05). The research group exhibited higher treatment compliance (P = .002) and greater nursing satisfaction compared to the control group (P = .014).

CONCLUSION

Continuity nursing based on the theory of KAP can improve negative emotions in elderly BPH patients, enhance their self-efficacy and treatment compliance, and achieve better clinical outcomes.

Single-cell data revealed exhaustion of characteristic NK cell subpopulations and T cell subpopulations in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The treatment and prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been a major medical challenge. Unraveling the landscape of tumor immune infiltrating cells (TIICs) in the immune microenvironment of HCC is of great significance to probe the molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

Based on single-cell data of HCC, the cell landscape was revealed from the perspective of TIICs. Special cell subpopulations were determined by the expression levels of marker genes. Differential expression analysis was conducted. The activity of each subpopulation was determined based on the highly expressed genes. CTLA4+ T-cell subpopulations affecting the prognosis of HCC were determined based on survival analysis. A single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering analysis was also performed to determine the transcription factor regulatory networks in the CTLA4+ T cell subpopulations.

RESULTS

10 cell types were identified and NK cells and T cells showed high abundance in tumor tissues. Two NK cells subpopulations were present, FGFBP2+ NK cells, B3GNT7+ NK cells. Four T cells subpopulations were present, LAG3+ T cells, CTLA4+ T cells, RCAN3+ T cells, and HPGDS+ Th2 cells. FGFBP2+ NK cells, and CTLA4+ T cells were the exhaustive subpopulation. High CTLA4+ T cells contributed to poor prognostic outcomes and promoted tumor progression. Finally, a network of transcription factors regulated by NR3C1, STAT1, and STAT3, which were activated, was present in CTLA4+ T cells.

CONCLUSION

CTLA4+ T cell subsets in HCC exhibited functional exhaustion characteristics that probably inhibited T cell function through a transcription factor network dominated by NR3C1, STAT1, and STAT3.

A prognostic signature established based on genes related to tumor microenvironment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Complex cellular signaling network in the tumor microenvironment (TME) could serve as an indicator for the prognostic classification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

METHODS

Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to screen prognosis-related TME-related genes (TRGs), based on which HCC samples were clustered by running non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. Furthermore, the correlation between different molecular HCC subtypes and immune cell infiltration level was analyzed. Finally, a risk score (RS) model was established by LASSO and Cox regression analyses (CRA) using these TRGs. Functional enrichment analysis was performed using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).

RESULTS

HCC patients were divided into three molecular subtypes (C1, C2, and C3) based on 704 prognosis-related TRGs. HCC subtype C1 had significantly better OS than C2 and C3. We selected 13 TRGs to construct the RS model. Univariate and multivariate CRA showed that the RS could independently predict patients' prognosis. A nomogram integrating the RS and clinicopathologic features of the patients was further created. We also validated the reliability of the model according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve value, concordance index (C-index), and decision curve analysis. The current findings demonstrated that the RS was significantly correlated with CD8+ T cells, monocytic lineage, and myeloid dendritic cells.

CONCLUSION

This study provided TRGs to help classify patients with HCC and predict their prognoses, contributing to personalized treatments for patients with HCC.

Potential convergence of olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and COVID-19: The role of neuroinflammation

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that affects 7-10 million individuals worldwide. A common early symptom of PD is olfactory dysfunction (OD), and more than 90% of PD patients suffer from OD. Recent studies have highlighted a high incidence of OD in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review investigates the potential convergence of OD in PD and COVID-19, particularly focusing on the mechanisms by which neuroinflammation contributes to OD and neurological events. Starting from our fundamental understanding of the olfactory bulb, we summarize the clinical features of OD and pathological features of the olfactory bulb from clinical cases and autopsy reports in PD patients. We then examine SARS-CoV-2-induced olfactory bulb neuropathology and OD and emphasize the SARS-CoV-2-induced neuroinflammatory cascades potentially leading to PD manifestations. By activating microglia and astrocytes, as well as facilitating the aggregation of α-synuclein, SARS-CoV-2 could contribute to the onset or exacerbation of PD. We also discuss the possible contributions of NF-κB, the NLRP3 inflammasome, and the JAK/STAT, p38 MAPK, TLR4, IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 and cGAS-STING signaling pathways. Although olfactory dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 may be reversible, it is challenging to restore OD in patients with PD. With the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and the recurrence of infections, we call for continued attention to the intersection between PD and SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially from the perspective of OD.

Swellable microneedle-coupled light-addressable photoelectrochemical sensor for in-situ tracking of multiple pesticides pollution in vivo

In vivo monitoring of multiple pesticide contamination is of great significance for evaluating the health risks of different pesticides, agricultural production safety, and ecological and environmental assessment. Here, we report a hydrogel microneedle array coupled light-addressable photoelectrochemical sensor for tracking multiple pesticide uptake and elimination in living animals and plants, holding three prominent merits: i) enables in-situ detection of in vivo pesticides, avoiding cumbersome and complex sample transportation and handling processes; ii) allows repeated in vivo sampling of the same organism, improving tracking test controllability and accuracy; iii) avoids lethal sampling, providing a better understanding of the pesticides fate in living organisms. The coupled sensor is mechanically robust for withstanding more than 0.35 N per needle and highly swellable (800 %) for timely extraction of sufficient in vivo solution for analysis. For proof-of-concept, it achieves in-situ detection of atrazine, acetamiprid, and carbendazim efficiently and quantitatively in artificial agarose skin models, mouse skin interstitial fluids, and plant leaves with little inflammatory reaction. This simple, highly integrated, minimally invasive, and high-throughput in vivo monitoring method is ideal for future field environmental monitoring and plant and animal disease diagnosis.

Sacubitril/valsartan reversal of left ventricular remodeling is associated with improved hemodynamics in resistant hypertension

BACKGROUND

Sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) has been shown to be an effective antihypertensive drug combination. However, its therapeutic effects on blood pressure (BP) and hemodynamics as well as left ventricular (LV) remodeling in resistant hypertension (RHTN) remain unclear.

METHODS

Eighty-six patients completed this self-control study, during which olmesartan was administered within the first 8 weeks (phase 1) followed by S/V within the second 8 weeks (phase 2), with nifedipine and hydrochlorothiazide taken as background medications. Office BP, echocardiography and hemodynamics assessment using impedance cardiography were performed at baseline, the eighth and sixteenth weeks.

RESULTS

The reduction in office BP was larger in phase 2 than in phase 1 (19.59/11.66 mmHg vs. 2.88/1.15 mmHg). Besides, the treatment in phase 2 provided greater reductions in systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and thoracic blood saturation ratio (TBR), with differences between two phases of -226.59 (-1212.80 to 509.55) dyn·s/cm5/m2 and -0.02 (-0.04 to 0.02). Switching from olmesartan to S/V also significantly reduced E/E`, LV mass index, LV end-diastolic volume index and LV end-systolic volume index (all P < 0.05). Decreases in AS, SVRI and TBR were correlated with changes in indicators of LV remodeling (all P < 0.05). And the correlation still remained even after adjusting for confounders including changes in BP.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching from olmesartan to S/V effectively lowered BP and reversed ventricular remodeling in RHTN. In addition, hemodynamics improvement was also observed. Changes in hemodynamics played an important role in reversing LV remodeling of S/V, which were independent of its antihypertensive effect.

Poly(3-Methylthiophene)/Graphene Composite Cathode for Rechargeable Aluminum-Ion Batteries

To reduce the dependence on traditional fossil energy, developing efficient energy storage systems is urgent. The reserves of aluminum resources in the earth's crust are extremely rich, which makes aluminum-ion batteries a promising competitor of new energy storage devices. Here, we report a poly(3-methylthiophene)/graphene (P3TH/Graphene) composite as the cathode of an aluminum-ion battery. The adjustment of polymer chain spacing by the methyl side chain provides a channel conducive to the transport of large-size AlCl4- complexes. The addition of electron donor groups also changes the electron delocalization characteristics of polymers and improves the specific capacity of the material. At the same time, the in situ composite of graphene can enhance the Π-Π interaction to form a favorable electronic transmission channel. At a current density of 200 mA g-1, the P3TH/Graphene composite showed a specific capacity of ∼150 mA g-1. The flexible structure of the polymer also guarantees the excellent rate capability of the composite.

Artificial periosteum promotes bone regeneration through synergistic immune regulation of aligned fibers and BMSC-recruiting phages

Given the crucial role of periosteum in bone repair, the use of artificial periosteum to induce spontaneous bone healing instead of using bone substitutes has become a potential strategy. Also, the proper transition from pro-inflammatory signals to anti-inflammatory signals is pivotal for achieving optimal repair outcomes. Hence, we designed an artificial periosteum loaded with a filamentous bacteriophage clone named P11, featuring an aligned fiber morphology. P11 endowed the artificial periosteum with the capacity to recruit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The artificial periosteum also regulated the immune microenvironment at the bone injury site through the synergistic effects of biochemical factors and topography. Specifically, the inclusion of P11 preserved inflammatory signaling in macrophages and additionally facilitated the migration of BMSCs. Subsequently, aligned fibers stimulated macrophages, inducing alterations in cytoskeletal and metabolic activities, resulting in the polarization into the M2 phenotype. This progression encouraged the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and promoted vascularization. In vivo experiments showed that the new bone generated in the AP group exhibited the most efficient healing pattern. Overall, the integration of biochemical factors with topographical considerations for sequential immunomodulation during bone repair indicates a promising approach for artificial periosteum development. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The appropriate transition of macrophages from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory phenotype is pivotal for achieving optimal bone repair outcomes. Hence, we designed an artificial periosteum featuring an aligned fiber morphology and loaded with specific phage clones. The artificial periosteum not only fostered the recruitment of BMSCs but also achieved sequential regulation of the immune microenvironment through the synergistic effects of biochemical factors and topography, and improved the effect of bone repair. This study indicates that the integration of biochemical factors with topographical considerations for sequential immunomodulation during bone repair is a promising approach for artificial periosteum development.

Effects of dietary selenized glucose on intestinal microbiota and tryptophan metabolism in rats: Assessing skatole reduction potential

3-Methylindole (Skatole), a degradation product of tryptophan produced by intestinal microbial activity, significantly contributes to odor nuisance. Its adverse effects on animal welfare, human health, and environmental pollution have been noted. However, it is still unclear whether the intestinal microbiota mediates the impact of selenium (Se) on skatole production and what the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. A selenized glucose (SeGlu) derivative is a novel organic selenium compound. In this study, a diverse range of dietary SeGlu-treated levels, including SeGlu-deficient (CK), SeGlu-adequate (0.15 mg Se per L), and SeGlu-supranutritional (0.4 mg Se per L) conditions, were used to investigate the complex interaction of SeGlu on intestinal microbiome and serum metabolome changes in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The study showed that SeGlu supplementation enhanced the antioxidant ability in rats, significantly manifested in the increases of the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), while no change in the level of malonaldehyde (MDA). Metagenomic sequencing analysis verified that the SeGlu treatment group significantly increased the abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as Clostridium, Ruminococcus, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Alloprevotella while reducing the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Bacteroides and Alistipes significantly. Further metabolomic analysis revealed phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis changes in the SeGlu treatment group. Notably, the biosynthesis of indole, a critical pathway, was affected by SeGlu treatment, with several crucial enzymes implicated. Correlation analysis demonstrated strong associations between specific bacterial species - Treponema, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcus, and changes in indole and derivative concentrations. Moreover, the efficacy of SeGlu-treated fecal microbiota was confirmed through fecal microbiota transplantation, leading to a decrease in the concentration of skatole in rats. Collectively, the analysis of microbiota and metabolome response to diverse SeGlu levels suggests that SeGlu is a promising dietary additive in modulating intestinal microbiota and reducing odor nuisance in the livestock and poultry industry.

Multiscale Structural Engineering Boosts Piezoelectricity in Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9-Based High-Temperature Piezoceramics

High-temperature piezoelectric materials, which enable the accurate and reliable sensing of physical parameters to guarantee the functional operation of various systems under harsh conditions, are highly demanded. To this end, both large piezoelectricity and high Curie temperature are pivotal figures of merit (FOMs) for high-temperature piezoceramics. Unfortunately, despite intensive pursuits, it remains a formidable challenge to unravel the inverse correlation between these FOMs. Herein, a conceptual material paradigm of multiscale structural engineering was proposed to address this dilemma. The synergistic effects of phase structure reminiscent of a polymorphic phase boundary and refined domain morphology simultaneously contribute to a large piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 30.3 pC/N and a high Curie temperature TC of 740 °C in (LiCeNd) codoped Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 (NBN-LCN) ceramics. More encouragingly, the system has exceptional thermal stability and is nonsusceptible to mechanical loading. This study not only demonstrates that the high-performance and robust NBN-LCN high-temperature piezoceramics hold great potential for implements under harsh conditions but also opens an avenue for integrating antagonistic properties for the enhancement of the collective performance in functional materials.

Identification of a novel LFNG variant in a Chinese fetus with spondylocostal dysostosis and a systematic review

Spondylocostal dysostosis (SCDO) encompasses a group of skeletal disorders characterized by multiple segmentation defects in the vertebrae and ribs. SCDO has a complex genetic etiology. This study aimed to analyze and identify pathogenic variants in a fetus with SCDO. Copy number variant sequencing and whole exome sequencing were performed on a Chinese fetus with SCDO, followed by bioinformatics analyses, in vitro functional assays and a systematic review on the reported SCDO cases with LFNG pathogenic variants. Ultrasound examinations in utero exhibited that the fetus had vertebral malformation, scoliosis and tethered cord, but rib malformation was not evident. We found a novel homozygous variant (c.1078 C > T, p.R360C) within the last exon of LFNG. The variant was predicted to cause loss of function of LFNG by in silico prediction tools, which was confirmed by an in vitro assay of LFNG enzyme activity. The systematic review listed a total of 20 variants of LFNG in SCDO. The mutational spectrum spans across all exons of LFNG except the last one. This study reported the first Chinese case of LFNG-related SCDO, revealing the prenatal phenotypes and expanding the mutational spectrum of the disorder.

Colorimetry/fluorescence dual-mode detection of Salmonella typhimurium based on a "three-in-one" nanohybrid with high oxidase-like activity for AIEgen

A colorimetry/fluorescence dual-mode assay based on the aptamer-functionalized magnetic covalent organic framework-supported CuO and Au NPs (MCOF-CuO/Au@apt) was developed for Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) biosensing. The nanohybrid combined three functions in one: good magnetic separation characteristic, excellent oxidase-mimic activity for tetrap-aminophenylethylene (TPE-4A), and target recognition capability. The attachment of MCOF-CuO/Au@apt onto the surface of S. typhimurium resulted in a significant reduction in the oxidase-mimicking activity of the nanohybrid, which could generate dual-signal of colorimetry and fluorescence through the catalytic oxidation of TPE-4A. Based on this, S. typhimurium could be specifically detected in the linear ranges of 102- 106 CFU·mL-1 and 101- 106 CFU·mL-1, with LODs of 7.6 and 2.1 CFU·mL-1, respectively in colorimetry/fluorescence modes. Moreover, the smartphone and linear discrimination analysis-based system could be used for on-site and portable testing. In addition, this platform showed applicability in detecting S. typhimurium in milk, egg liquid and chicken samples.

Improving the Performance of Si/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Solar Cells with More Economical and Environmentally Friendly Alcohol Ether Solvents

The photoelectric characteristics of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films significantly affect the power conversion efficiency and stability of Si/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cells. In this paper, we investigated PEDOT:PSS modification with alcohol ether solvents (dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPM) and propylene glycol phenyl ether (PPH)). The reduction of PSS content and the transformation of the PEDOT chain from benzene to a quinone structure in PEDOT:PSS induced by doping with DPM or PPH are the reasons for the improved conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films. DPM and PPH doping improves the quality of silicon with the PEDOT:PSS heterojunction and silicon surface passivation, thereby reducing the surface recombination of charge carriers, which improves the photovoltaic performance of Si/PEDOT:PSS solar cells. Comparing the power conversion performance (PCE) and air stability of Si/PEDOT:PSS solar cells with DPM (13.24%), DPH (13.51%), ethylene glycol (EG, 13.07%), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 12.62%), it is suggested that doping with DPM and DPH can replace DMSO and EG to enhance the performance of Si/PEDOT:PSS solar cells. The EG and DMSO solvents not only have a certain toxicity to the human body but also are not environmentally friendly. In comparison to DMSO and EG, DPM and DPH are more economical and environmentally friendly, helping to reduce the manufacturing cost of Si/PEDOT:PSS solar cells and making them more conducive to their commercial applications.

Metformin and chidamide synergistically suppress multiple myeloma progression and enhance lenalidomide/bortezomib sensitivity

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common hematological malignancy, and patients with MM are recommended to take immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide along with proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib to extend survival. However, drug resistance influences the efficacy of treatment for MM. In our study, we found that metformin and chidamide both suppressed MM cell growth in a concentration- and time-dependent way (p < .001). Moreover, combined therapy with metformin and chidamide exhibited enhanced inhibition of the growth of MM cells compared with monotherapy (p < .05). Additionally, the triple-drug combination of metformin and chidamide with lenalidomide or bortezomib was used to stimulate the MM cells, and the results revealed that metformin and chidamide treatment sensitized MM cells to lenalidomide and bortezomib. As a result, the apoptosis (p < .001) together with cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase (p < .05) was stimulated by lenalidomide and bortezomib, and showed significant elevation in the triple-drug combination group compared with the lenalidomide or bortezomib treatment alone group (p < .05). Furthermore, the impacts of different drugs on glycolysis in MM cells were examined. We found that metformin and chidamide combined treatment significantly promoted glucose uptake and reduced energy production in MM cells treated with lenalidomide and bortezomib (p < .001), suggesting that metformin and chidamide affected glycolysis in MM cells and enhanced the sensitivity of lenalidomide and bortezomib in MM by regulating glucose metabolism. In conclusion, metformin and chidamide synergistically hindered MM cell growth and sensitized cells to lenalidomide/bortezomib. The findings of this study might provide novel clues to improve MM therapy.

Antiviral effect of palmatine against infectious bronchitis virus through regulation of NF-κB/IRF7/JAK-STAT signalling pathway and apoptosis

1. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a gamma-coronavirus, can infect chickens of all ages and leads to an acute contact respiratory infection. This study evaluated the anti-viral activity of palmatine, a natural non-flavonoid alkaloid, against IBV in chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cells.2. The half toxic concentration (CC50) of palmatine was 672.92 μM, the half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of palmatine against IBV was 7.76 μM and the selection index (SI) was 86.74.3. Mode of action assay showed that palmatine was able to directly inactivate IBV and inhibited the adsorption, penetration and intracellular replication of IBV.4. Palmatine significantly upregulated TRAF6, TAB1 and IKK-β compared with the IBV-infected group, leading to the increased expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in the downstream NF-κB signalling pathway.5. Palmatine significantly up-regulated the levels of MDA5, MAVS, IRF7, IFN-α and IFN-β in the IRF7 pathway, inducing type I interferon production. It up-regulated the expression of 2'5'-oligoadenylate synthase (OAS) in the JAK-STAT pathway.6. IBV infection induced cell apoptosis and palmatine-treatment delayed the process of apoptosis by regulation of the expression of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, BCL-2, CASPASE-3 and CASPASE-8).7. Palmatine could exert anti-IBV activity through regulation of NF-κB/IRF7/JAK-STAT signalling pathways and apoptosis, providing a theoretical basis for the utilisation of palmatine to treat IBV infection.

Research on duck egg recognition algorithm based on improved YOLOv4

1. The following study addressed the problem of small duck eggs as challenging to detect and identify for pick up in complex free-range duck farm environments. It introduces improvements to the YOLOv4 convolutional neural network target detection algorithm, based on the working conditions of egg-picking robots.2. Specifically, one scale of anchor boxes was removed from the prediction network, and a duck egg labelling dataset was established to make the improved algorithm YOLOv4-ours better match the working state of egg-picking robots and enhance detection performance.3. Through multiple comparative experiments, the YOLOv4-ours object detection algorithm exhibited superior overall performance, achieving a precision of 98.85%, recall of 96.67%, and an average precision of 98.60% and F1 score increased to 97%. Compared to the original YOLOv4 model, these improvements represented increases of 1.89%, 3.41%, 1.32%, and 1.04%, respectively. Furthermore, detection time was reduced from 0.26 seconds per image to 0.20 seconds.4. The enhanced model accurately detected duck eggs in free-range duck housing, effectively meeting the real-time egg identification and picking requirements.

Seedlings of Poncirus trifoliata exhibit tissue-specific detoxification in response to NH4 + toxicity

Ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +-N) is essential for fruit tree growth, but the impact of excess NH4 +-N from fertilizer on evergreen citrus trees is unclear. In a climate chamber, 8-month-old citrus plants were exposed to five different hydroponic NH4 +-N concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mm) for 1 month to study effects of NH4 +-N on growth characteristics, N uptake, metabolism, antioxidant enzymes and osmotic regulatory substances. Application of 10 mm NH4 +-N adversely affected root plasma membrane integrity, root physiological functions, and plant biomass. MDA, CAT, POD, APX and SOD content were significantly correlated with leaf N metabolic enzyme activity (GOGAT, GDH, GS and NR). GDH was the primary enzyme involved in NH4 +-N assimilation in leaves, while the primary pathway involved in roots was GS-GOGAT. Under comparatively high NH4 + addition, roots were the main organs involved in NH4 + utilization in citrus seedlings. Our results demonstrated that variations in NH4 + concentration and enzyme activity in various organs are associated with more effective N metabolism in roots than in leaves to prevent NH4 + toxicity in evergreen woody citrus plants. These results provide insight into the N forms used by citrus plants that are important for N fertilizer management.